Perspectives of the Community and PHC Doctors from Three Southern States in India on Community Preference for Health Services Provided by Rural Medical Practitioners.

Research question: Study to determine the reasons why community members continue to access healthcare through Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs). Objective : To find out the impression of stakeholders i.e. community leaders, PHC doctors and members of community on the need of RMPs cater to the health needs of the communities. Study design : Cross sectional study. Setting : Remote and rural villages in Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Participants : 322 persons who include 59 RMPs, 81 village heads, 55 PHC doctors and 127 patients.